Flexible bra cup support

Abstract

A flexible support element for fitting within a sleeve formed under and around the lower periphery of a bra cup, the invention replaces conventional bra underwires which lose shape during wear or washing, poke through sleeve material at the ends of the sleeve and cause user discomfort. The support element of the invention takes the form of an arcuate length of polymeric or similar material having a circular cross-sectional shape and which can be formed manually into a supporting shape to fit within the undercup sleeve. The present support element provides comfort to a user and does not poke through the ends of the undercup sleeve.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A support element for use with a bust-supporting article of apparel having at least one cup with a sleeve disposed about at least lower portions of the cup and into which sleeve is received the support element, the support element being intended to hold a desired shape of the cup, the support element comprising an elongated body portion formed of a plastic material, said support element being generally arcuate prior to insertion of the support element into the sleeve, the support element further being substantially non-rigid and wherein the body portion has a circular cross-section, the support element being capable of being shaped while within the sleeve to a contour capable of supporting a portion of the body of a user which is received into the cup, the support element retaining that supporting contour while within the sleeve. 
     
     
       2. The improved support element of claim 1 wherein the ends of the body portions are rounded. 
     
     
       3. The improved support element of claim 1 wherein the plastic material comprises a polymeric material. 
     
     
       4. The improved support element of claim 3 wherein the plastic material is selected from the group consisting of high density polyethylene, fluorinated hydrocarbons and chlorinated hydrocarbons. 
     
     
       5. The improved support element of claim 1 wherein the circular cross-section of the body portion of the support element has a diameter ranging from 1/16" to 1/4". 
     
     
       6. The improved support element of claim 1 wherein the circular cross-section of the body portion of the support element has a diameter of 3/16". 
     
     
       7. The improved support element of claim 1 wherein the circular cross-section of the body portion of the support element has a diameter of 1/8". 
     
     
       8. The improved support element of claim 1 wherein the support element has a cross-sectional diameter which is slightly less than the internal diameter of the sleeve to allow the support element to be received loosely within the sleeve. 
     
     
       9. The improved support element of claim 1 wherein the plastic material is selected from the group consisting of high density polyethylene, fluorinated hydrocarbons and chlorinated hydrocarbons. 
     
     
       10. The improved support element of claim 1 wherein the support element is not preformed into a rigidly maintained shape prior to insertion of the support element into the sleeve. 
     
     
       11. A support element for use with a bust-supporting article of apparel having at least one cup with a sleeve disposed about at least lower portions of the cup and into which sleeve is received the support element, the support element being shaped while within the sleeve to a contour capable of supporting a portion of the body of a user received into the cup, the support element comprising an elongated body portion formed of a plastic material capable of being shaped into that contour for supporting the user, the body portion of the support element being substantially non-rigid and having a circular cross-section, the support element being capable of being shaped while within the sleeve to that contour supporting the user and further being capable of retaining that supporting contour while within the sleeve.